The Riverwoman's Dragon

by Candace Robb

Overview

When the wise woman Magda Digby is suspected of murder, Owen Archer sets out to prove her innocence in this intricately plotted medieval mystery.
May, 1375. Owen Archer returns from London to find York in chaos. While the citizens are living in terror of the pestilence which is spreading throughout the land, a new physician has arrived, whipping up fear and suspicion against traditional healers and midwives. With the backing of the new archbishop, he is especially hostile towards Magda Digby, the wise woman who has helped and healed the people of York for many years. At the same time, Magda is uneasy about the arrival of two long-lost kinsfolk. Though they say they are seeking her help, she senses a hidden agenda.
Magda’s troubles deepen when she discovers a body in the river near her home – and finds herself under suspicion of murder. Days later, fire rips through a warehouse in the city. Amongst the charred debris lies the body of a man – not burned, but stabbed in the back. Could there be a connection to the corpse in the river?
Determined to prove Magda’s innocence, Owen sets out to find answers – but the more he uncovers, the deeper the mystery becomes . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780291369
Publisher:	Severn House
Publication date:	11/02/2021
Series:	Owen Archer Series , #13
Edition description:	Main
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.91(w) x 8.98(h) x (d)

About the Author

Candace Robb has read and researched medieval history for many years, having studied for a Ph.D. in Medieval & Anglo-Saxon Literature. She divides her time between Seattle and the UK, frequently visiting York to research the series. She is the author of twelve previous Owen Archer mysteries, three Kate Clifford medieval mysteries, and the Margaret Kerr trilogy.

Editorial Reviews

09/13/2021

A pestilence looms over 14th-century York, England, in Robb’s craftily plotted 13th Owen Archer mystery (after 2020’s A Choir of Crows). When Sam Toller, the trade agent for merchant Guthlac Woolcott, is found dead in the Ouse River with his skull cracked open, suspicion falls on Magda Digby, a healer some locals believe to be a witch. Sam’s widow claims he angrily confronted Magda shortly before his death and accused the healer of causing Guthlac to become ill. Owen, now captain of the city bailiffs, investigates. Meanwhile, he must also find out who stabbed Matthew Brown, one of Guthlac’s employees, in the back three times and left the body in the ruins of Matthew’s burnt home. A possible link between the two murders emerges. The stakes rise as Owen struggles to maintain order in a city wracked by fear over the devastating illness. Robb effortlessly integrates details about the state of medical knowledge at the time through the characters of Magda and Owen’s apothecary wife. This is a highlight in a solid series. Agent: Jennifer Weltz, Jean V. Naggar Agency. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

06/01/2021

It's 1375, and long-standing Robb protagonist Owen Archer returns home from London to find York upended by a new physician who is dead-set against wise woman Magda Digby, who has helped so many people in the intervening years. Then Magda is accused of murder after she discovers a body floating in the river. A lovely series for medieval fans, and I am one.

Library Journal

2021-08-18
The year 1375 brings the plague and lesser killers back to York with a vengeance.

Owen Archer and his wife, apothecary Lucie Wilton, have returned from London, where they were on royal business, only to find York boiling with fear of the plague and the church inciting people to take action against healers, including their friend Magda. Magda’s bitter daughter, Asa, has suddenly appeared along with Einar, another relative, who seeks to learn and imitate Magda’s mystical powers. A new healer calling himself Bernard has come to York and is stirring resentment against Magda. Owen’s first concern, however, is investigating the death of Sam Toller, whose body was found in the river. Sam was employed by the merchant Guthlac Wolcott, who didn’t entirely trust his son to run their business and whose health is deteriorating under Bernard’s care. Both put the blame on Magda. Asa, whose past with Bernard she refuses to discuss, resents her mother’s talents, which she thinks she should have inherited. The arrival of the plague causes many to blame people like Magda; even midwives are under attack in a society that doesn’t value women. Magda goes about her business without fear, helping the poor and sick while under the protection of her mystical dragon, while Owen tries to make sense of the murder, a fire at Guthlac’s warehouse, and the puzzling relationship between Guthlac’s son and his father’s young wife.

Magda, who’s appeared in many of Owen’s adventures, is the rightful star of this tale of murder, betrayal, and superstition.

Kirkus Reviews

A multitude of new and old supporting characters round out the delightful cast and contribute to the twists and turns of the compelling plot

Booklist on A Conspiracy of Wolves